Spain's U-21

[Hortical]

The team completed 90% of their passes in the competition and conceded their first goal in the final.

[Lazie]

The team completed 90% of their passes in the competition and conceded their first goal in the final.

Spain's football future looks bright. What is amazing is all these youngster could fit into the senior team. The good thing is they treat all comers the same, pass ... pass ... pass ....

[Dunny]

Italy 2 Spain 4: Alcantara hat-trick hands Spain U21s the European Championship


By Simon Peach, Press Association
PUBLISHED:18:53, 18 June 2013| UPDATED:09:38, 19 June 2013 140shares
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Thiago Alcantara inspired Spain Under-21s to European Championship glory, with the reported Manchester United target hitting a hat-trick as Italy were defeated in Jerusalem.
The 22-year-old Barcelona midfielder has been regularly linked with a move to Old Trafford and saw his considerable stock rise further as Spain stylishly disposed of the country of his birth.
Alcantara, part of the Spain side that won the tournament in Denmark two years ago, headed home his first after just six minutes, but Italy were quickly level through a fine Ciro Immobile goal.
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Champions: The Spanish U21 stars are jubiliant as they celebrate by lifting the trophy after their 4-2 win





Hat-trick hero: Thiago Alcantara netted three goals in the first half to set Spain on their way


MATCH FACTS


Italy U21: Bardi, Donati, Bianchetti, Caldirola, Regini, Florenzi (Saponara 58), Rossi, Verratti (Crimi 76), Insigne, Borini, Immobile (Gabbiadini 58).
Subs Not Used: Colombi, Biraghi, Capuano, Marrone, Destro, Sansone, Bertolacci, Paloschi, Leali.
Booked: Verratti, Regini, Caldirola, Crimi.
Goals: Immobile 10, Borini 79.
Spain U21: De Gea, Montoya, Bartra, Martinez, Moreno, Koke (Camacho 86), Illarramendi, Thiago, Tello (Muniain 70), Morata (Rodrigo 80),Isco.
Subs Not Used: Marino, Nacho, Muniesa, Alvaro, Sarabia, Carvajal, Vazquez, Robles.
Booked: Koke, Tello, Martinez.
Goals: Thiago 6,31,38 pen, Isco 66 pen.
Att: 28,000
Ref: Matej Jug (Slovenia)


Spain regained the lead through Alcantara in the 31st minute, before the son of Brazilian 1994 World Cup winner Mazinho completed his hat-trick with a penalty seven minutes later.
Manchester City target Isco added to Alcantara's treble in the second half and, despite a nervy ending following a strike from Liverpool's Fabio Borini, but La Rojita retained their title in style.
Spain dominated from the outset and took an early lead through Alcantara, who headed home an Alvaro Morata cross from close range.
It was an impressive goal but one that was soon cancelled out as Giulio Donati played a wonderfully-weighted ball from the back, which Immobile controlled before dinking over Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea.
Spain quickly returned to the attack and goalkeeper Francesco Bardi had to be alert to deny Morata after the Real Madrid striker was put through by Alcantara.
The Inter Milan goalkeeper was again called into action soon after to stop Koke flicking home a Cristian Tello cross.

Floods of tears: Italian head coach Devis Mangia comforts Lorenzo Insigne after the final whistle


Jumping for joy: The Spanish starlets and coach Julen Lopetegui celebrate after the final whistle





Group hug: Spain's youngsters celebrate Isco's goal, putting them 4-1 up



Despair: Alessandro Florenzi of Italy can't bear to watch as Spain run riot

Alcantara hat-trick earns Spain Euro Under-21 crown







Italy's biggest threat was coming on the counter-attack and opposite number De Gea was forced into an important 24th-minute stop to keep the scores level.
Borini played a looping ball over to Alessandro Florenzi, who flicked the ball over Marc Bartra's head before seeing his volley pushed over by the United goalkeeper.
Spain soon went in front for a second time, though. Koke picked out Alcantara and Bardi was unable to keep out the Barcelona midfielder's fierce half volley.
They extended their lead further as half-time approached after Tello was brought down by Donati's trailing leg.
Alcantara stepped up to the mark and struck home, completing his hat-trick and putting Spain in the driving seat.
Only a smart Bardi save prevented the 22-year-old grabbing another in the opening minute of the second half, with his low 20-yard strike parried away from danger.

Effort: Italy's forward Lorenzo Insigne (left) advances with the ball past Spain's defender Martin Montoya


Battle: Aberto Moreno of Spain tries to tackle Ciro Immobile of Italy as the Italian advances past
Florenzi struck over as Italy looked to reduce the deficit, but Spain were still on top.
Isco came close under pressure from the Italian defender, but got the goal he craved in the 66th minute.
Vasco Regini brought down Martin Montoya in the box and Isco fired the resulting spot-kick home.
It was no less than Spain deserved but they were forced to endure a nervy ending as they let their foot off the gas.
Borini struck a wonderful 20-yard effort past De Gea to reduce the deficit, with Regini firing over shortly afterwards.
The Azzurrini continued to push but there was to be no more goals as Spain were crowned champions again.



Hero: Thiago Alcantara (centre) celebrates his third goal with Cristian Tello (front) and Alvaro Morata



Dispute: Giulio Donati, Matteo Bianchetti and Marco Verratti (L-R) appeal against a penalty decision


Tussle: Spain forward Cristian Tello (left) challenges Italy's Lorenzo Insigne for the ball


Flying tackle: Spain's Montoya (left) goes straight into a tackle with Vasco Regini of Italy



More...

• LIVE: Italy v Spain - follow the European Under 21 final as it happens from the Teddy Stadium
• Italy 1 Holland 0: Liverpool star Borini nets winner to set up U21 final with Spain
• We WERE up for it! Ince hits back after U21 Euro flop and insists the players do care about their country
• European Under 21 Championships: All the fixtures and results in Israel

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[Lazie]

How Brazil and Italy allowed Tiago to get away? Born in Italy, son of a 94 Brazil World Cup winner. He was awesome in the middle of the park.

DeGea, what a save to prevent Spain from going behind 2-1? Yet idiots in the English media still doubt his quality?